FIRST PLACE BEST PLACE: Somerset has at least shared first place every day this season and have been alone in first for 50-straight days. The Patriots held at least a share of first place for 72-straight days in the first half last year.

MAGIC NUMBER: Somerset’s magic number to win the first half, including their tiebreaker over the Long Island Ducks, is at 10. That means any combination of Patriots wins and Ducks loses totaling 10 will clinch a first half championship.

CRUSTACEAN STATION: Friday was the first of 17 total meetings between the Patriots and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in 2018. The two played competitively against each other last year, with Somerset winning the season series 11-10.

HOT ROD: Alfredo Rodriguez has been a hitting machine over the last five games, batting .500 (10-20) with a double and two runs to bring his average up to .310. He ranks in the top 10 in the league in batting average and hits, and in the top 20 in the league in at bats and doubles.

STARTING OFF RIGHT: Despite last night’s 7-0 loss, Somerset starting pitchers have tossed at least five IP and have allowed no more than three ER in 18 of the last 19 games. Since June 3rd, starters are 8-3 with a 2.58 ERA (33 ER in 115.1 IP) and a 117/32 K/BB ratio.

RIORDAN ROARIN’: RHP Cory Riordan picked up a no-decision after yielding three runs with eight strikeouts in his last game vs. the Bees. He is second in the league in IP (56.1), fourth in K (44), second in BB/9 (1.28) and sixth in ERA (3.20).

K IS FOR KUBIAK: RHP David Kubiak dished out 8 Ks over 7.1 IP on Wednesday in the win at Lancaster. He carries a 1.50 ERA and has allowed just six walks and 18 hits with 36 strikeouts in his first 30 innings pitched this year.

AGE JUST A NUMBER: Endy Chavez has a hit in nine of his last 10 games, including eight RBI over his last five. The 40-year old is batting .325 (13-for-40) over this stretch with a home run, seven runs scored and eight RBI.

ME AND JULIO: OF Julio Borbon has reached base safely in 20 of his last 22 and is 33-for-106 (.311) with a HR, 16 RBI, nine SB and 19 runs over his last 26 games. He’s hit safely in 28 of his last 34 games, leads the league in doubles (15), ranks third in XBH (20), and 10th in SLG (.456).

INSANE DUANE: LHP Duane Below retired 21 of the final 23 batters he faced in his 6/19 start @ Lancaster. He has earned back-to-back wins by allowing three runs over 12 IP (2.25 ERA) and ranks fourth in the league in BB/9 (1.443).

EASY BEING TEASLEY: LHP Rick Teasley returned from a two-week stretch on the inactive list on May 24th. Since his return, he has allowed just three earned runs over 26.2 IP in five starts, good for a 1.01 ERA and 25 strikeouts.